Guide card retaining means for filing drawers



1935- F. L. G. STRAUBEL 2,010,740

GUIDE CARD RETAINING MEANS FOR FILING DRAWERS File'd Aug. 7. 1934 4Sheets-Sheet l redericlil Aug. 6, 1935- F. L G. STRAUBEL GUIDE CARDRETAINING MEANS FOR FILING DRAWERS 4 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Aug. 7, 1934 WIFederiQF/L. irwubel,

Aug. 6, 1935.

F. L. 3. STRAUBEL GUIDE CARD RETAINING MEANS FOR FILING DRAWERS FiledAug. 7, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwue/wiom Frederickllififmubel,

Aug. 6, 1935.

F. L. G. STRAUBEL CARD RETAI NING MEANS FOR FILING DRAWERS GUIDE FiledAug. 7, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 6, 1935 UNlTlEiD-f STATES.

CARD RETAINING MEANS FOR s FILING DRAWERS l rederlck L. G. Straubel,Green Bay, Wis. hp'plication August 7,1934, Serial No. 738,849

' sfc aiins. (01. 129-16) This invention relates to filing drawers andmore particularly to guide card retainingmeans intended for use in thebottom channel of the' drawer. The subject-matter of the present case isa continuation in part of- Patent No. 1,983,573,,

dated December 11, 1934.

Filing drawers are usually provided-;with' an; upwardly openingmain-bottom channel for the which may be readily assembled in or removedI from the channel in the bottom of the drawer,

, purpose of receiving the depending shank of a 10 guide card whichseparates the filing space of the drawer into proper divisions orsections; Ordinarily, this channel is intended to. accomr modate a guidecard shank havingan eyelet or opening for receiving a guide card'lockin'g rod intended to lock the cards in the drawer so that r theywill not be pulled out accidentally with filing folders andinadvertently removed from the drawer. In the patent above referred to,a guide card construction is illustrated which does not need a lockingrod to hold the card in the drawer because the card is provided with anovel support intended to interlock with a continuous key slot overlyingthe channel formation in the bottom of the drawer. New drawerconstruction may be so formed as to use the type of guide card claimedin the patent aforesaid. However, where it is desirable to use myimproved guide card having a key type support in old construction merelyhaving an upwardly opening channel in the drawer bottom it is desirableto equip the 01d channel with retaining means which provides a keyreceiving slot. Therefore, for the purpose of adapting guide cardshaving 'a key-type rounded-bottom support, of the kind set forth inPatent No. 1,983,577, to olddrawer construction, the present inventioncontemplatesthe provision of a novel key means which may be fitted indrawer channels having plain vertical sides so'that the guide cardlocking rod may be dis- 4o pensed with, and guide cards of the noveltype previously referred to may be used.

A primary object of the invention is to provide means adapted to bepositioned in the main bottom channel of the drawer which provides upperand lower retaining surfaces for the support or hearing. portion of aguide card. That is to say, theinvention contemplates the provision ofmeans adapted to be inserted in the usual main bottom channel or thedrawer which will provide an upper retaining surface disposedsubstantially in the plane of the drawer bottom and a lower retainingsurface disposed below the drawer bottom but above the bottom of themain channel. These retaining surfaces are intended to accommodate thelaterally projecting por-' tions of the guide card support so that itmay be slidably positioned between the retaining surfaces and may rollor rock on the lower surface, while the upper surface prevents the guidecard support from being lifted from the channel. 5

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novelkey-channelor retainer construction consisting of separate interfittingparts and which may be secured in place without the aid of specialtools, thereby materially simplifying, installation and permitting theuser readily to adapt'his filingsystem to guide cards of the improvedtype.

A further object of the invention is to provide retainingmembers whichmay be readily interlocked with the bottom or side wall of the mainchannel in a simple and expeditious manner, as for example, providingthe retaining members with lugs adapted to fit in the slots or openingsof either wall of the channel, and which may be-bent after insertion inthe slots to hold the members in place. i

A still further object of the invention is to provide an insertableretaining unit. This unit may consist of separate retaining members, aspreviously set forth, which are held in place by holding elements thatinterfit or interlock with openings' or shoulders in the ordinary drawerconstruction; or, the unit may consist of a single one-piece'memberincluding the retaining. members connected by a webwhich is formed toexpose the bottom of the channel so that the spaceregulator abutmentsformed on the bottom of the drawer channel may be available .forengagement by the space-regulator clutch. Thus, it will be apparent thatwhether the unit is made in separate sections or in one-piece, adequateprovision is made for exposing the follower or space 40 regulatorholding means on the bottom wall of the main channel.

With the above and other objects in view which will more readily appearas the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consistsin the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement ofparts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and definedin the appended claims.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which:- 1

Figure 1 is a detail vertical cross-sectional view 55 tending retainingflanges 6 and 6 of a filing drawer illustrating the application of oneform of the present improvement thereto.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the constructionshown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the key-chan nelunit with the parts separated, prior to assembly, and in their relativepositions. Figure 4 is a plan view of a modified form of constructionwherein the retaining members are interlocked with the drawer at one endand with the bottom of the drawer channel.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the construction shown inFigure 4.

Figure 6 is a detail cross-sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure4.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a further modification'wherein the retainingmembers are interlocked with the bottom of the drawer channel Figure 8'is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 7.

Figure.9 is a plan view of another modification showing the retainingmembers interlocked with the sides of the drawer channel.

Figure 10 is a detail cross-sectional view taken on the line IIII ofFigure 9.

Figure 11 is a. top plan view of a further modificafion of the inventionillustrating the retaining members combined in a single integral unit.

, Figure 12 isa longitudinal sectional view of the construction shown inFigure 11.

Figure 13 is a detail cross-sectional view taken on the line'I3I3- ofFigure 11.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several figures of the drawings.

'Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the filing drawer is designated generallyas'.A, the same having the usual sides, back and front, and a bottomportion A provided with an upwardly opening main channel I, having thehorizontal bottom wall 2 and the vertical side walls 3.

As will be observed from the drawings, this mainchannel is intended tobe continuous throughout the bottom of the drawer. Assuming that it isdesired -to use guide cards-G of the type having the novel support Sincluding the roll -bearing S'., -in a drawer having the characteristicsabove, referred to, it is desirable to insert the constructionconstituting the present invention- This construction consists of theretaining members 'B in the form of continuous channel shapes whichinclude theupper and lower inwardly ex- The upper flanges 6 are.intended to be so spaced as to provide a slot therebetween thereby toreceive the notchedshank' or cut away portion ofthe guide card support Sand the lower flanges 6 provide a surface on which the rounded bottom ofthe guide card support may slide, roll, rock or tilt. The members'lB mayalso include the vertical wall portions I-"! intended to be engaged attheir innerfaces by suitable fingers or projections on the rearand-front clamping members C and D reposition against the vertical sidewalls 3 of the channel I. The clamp D at the front of the unit comprisesa body portion l provided with the offset fingers I! for engaging theinside faces 1-! of the members 3-3 at the front thereof.

When the retaining members are set up in the main channel I of thedrawer, a continuous channel defined by flanges 6 and 6 is provided forthe guide card supports so that the latter may be freely and readilyshifted in the drawer and may also roll or rock on the flanges 6, whilethe upper flange prevents the lifting of thecard from the drawer.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the form of the inventionshown in Figs. 1-3 includes in its organization a pair of oppositeretaining members in the form of channels or side rails so formed as toproduce-inwardly facing grooves that provide in effect a key-slot orrunway for a key type guide card support. The construction may bereadily fitted into a channel formed in the bottom of a filing drawer byfirst placing the front ends of the members BB properly spaced by clampD beneath the inside face of the drawer head and; then laying themagainst the sides of the main channel. The clamping member C may then beplaced in position as 'indicated in Figure 2. Thus. it will be observedthat the clamping and spacing. member C interlocks with the rear wall ofthe drawer, while the front clamping and spacing member D engagesbeneath'the inside of the drawer head or front. Therefore, when theconstruction is assembled in the main bottom channel of the drawer, itis effectively held in position-against upward movement in event thatthe guide cards which are interlocked therewith are lifted upwardly. Itwill, of course, be understood that the guide cards may be locked andreleased with reference to the channel by moving the same to the properoblique angle with reference to the transverse width of the slot formedbetween the edges of the upper flanges 6.

In the event that it is desired to use the drawer with a guide cardconstruction having an eyeleted support, and a guide card locking rod,it will, of course, be understood that the removable channel unitconstituting the present invention can be removed by first removing themember 0- and subsequently removing BB and D.

Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, it will beobserved that the retainingmembers B which may be of the same cross-sectional shape as the membersB, have their bottom flanges 1 provided with at one end of the mainchannel I of the drawer bottom. In applying the members B it will beapparent that the projections 19 thereof may be inserted in the openings20 and then the lugs [8 may berinserted in the openings l8 of the drawerbottom 2 and bent over or clinched to lock the retaining members in themain channel.

- According to the modification shown in Figures '7 and 8 the retainingmembers B may dispense with the projections I9 at the end thereof, andin that case. a'nluralitv of lugs I8? are formed on the lower flanges 1,the same being adapted to enter openings li in the bottom wall 2 of themain channel and to be clinched or bent into holding engagementtherewith as shown in Figure 8. i

If desired, the holding lugs may be placed on the sides of the retainingmembers as shown'in Figures 9 and 10. As will beobserved from thelatter, the retaining members B have lugs l8 formed from the side wall6' which connects the retaining surfaces 6 and 6. These lugs I areintended to enter openings 18 pierced in the side walls 3 of the mainbottom channel lo! the drawer. When the lugs l8 are clinched or bent asshown in Figure 10 it will be apparent that the retaining members B willbe held in the main channel.

Figures 11', 12 and 13 of the drawings illustrate a modification of theinvention wherein the retaining members B are integrally connected by aweb 22 which is open or cut away-as at 23 to expose the rack formationor abutments 24 on the bottom 2 of the main channel I so that the clutchmeans of the space regulator or follower may readily function in thedesired manner. It will, of course, be understood that the retainingmembers B are provided with the upper and lower retaining surface 6 and6 and the connecting web 22 may be provided, at opposite edges, with thebottom lugs 25 adapted to enter openings 26 in the bottom 2 of the maindrawer channel so that the lugs 25 may be bent or clinched as shown inFigure 13 to lock the entire unit in place.

It will be apparent that in all forms of the invention, the essential.feature of providing retaining members adapted to be fitted into andheld within the main bottom channel I of the drawer is observed' Also,in all forms, the bottom of the channel is exposed between the retainingmembers so that the space regulator or follower may properly functionunder all conditions of use.

Without further description it is thought that the features andadvantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, and it will of course be understood that changes in the form,proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appendedclaims.

1. In a filing drawer, the combination with the drawer bottom having amain bottom channel for receiving a guide card support, of an insert-'rear wall having .a slot, a drawer head and a main bottom provided withamain channel extending beneath a portion of the head; a pair of memberspresenting inwardly directed retaining flanges, and adapted to bepositioned against the sides of the main channel with their front endsbeneath said portion of the drawer head, a front clamping member havingmeans for spacing the front ends of said first mentioned members andholding them against, the sides of the main channel and a rear clampingmember also having means for spacing and holding said first mentionedmembers in and against the sides of the channel, and said rear clampingmember having means for engaging in the slot in' the rear wall of thedrawer.

3. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall formed with amain channel including vertical side walls and a horizontal bottom,

guide card retaining means for the filing drawer, including a retainingunit for the bearing portions of guide card supports adapted to befittedin the main channel of the drawer and comprising inwardly facing channelmembers adapted to be positioned adjacent the side walls of the mainchannel and a connecting web overlying the bottom of the main channel,said web being cut away to expose a portion of the surface of the bottomwall of the main channel, and means for securing said unit in the maindrawer channel.

4. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall formed with amain channel including opposite side walls, guide card retaining meansfor the drawer, including, a pair of retaining members substantiallyS-shaped in cross-section positioned along the side walls, and means forsecuring the retaining members in the channel.,

5. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom wall formed with amain channel including opposite side walls, guide card retaining meansfor the drawer, including, a pair of retaining members of substantiallyS-shaped crosssection, each having an inwardly directed flange andpositioned along the side walls of the channel, and means for securingthe retaining members in the channel.

6. In Combination, a filing drawer having a main channel includingopposite side walls, guide card retaining means for the drawer,including, a pair of retaining members of substantially S- shapedcross-section each having spaced upper and lower inwardly directedflanges and positioned along the said side walls of the channel, andmeans for securing the retaining members in the channel.

7. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom for supporting thefiling material and provided with a main central channel having sidewalls and a bottom wall disposed below the plane of the drawer bottom,guide card retaining and supporting means for the filing drawer,including guide members each having spaced inwardly directed retainingand supporting flanges to provide a guideway for slidably receiving aguide card support, and means for holding the said guide membersadjacent to the upper edges of the side walls of the main channel,thereby to space the supporting flanges of each guide member above thebottom wall of the main channel to provide a bearing surface for theguide cardsupport adjacent the drawer bottom.

8. In combination, a filing drawer having a bottom for supporting filedmaterial and formed with a central main channel including side walls anda bottom wall, guide card retaining means in the channel, including,inwardly projecting pairs of continuous flanges positioned at the sidewalls of the main channel and each pair of flanges providing an upperretaining surface and a lower supporting surface for slidably receivingtherebetween the bearing portion of a guide card support, said flangesexposing therebetween the bottom of the main channel, and means forpositioning said finages in said main channel whereby the lower flangeswhich provide abearing and supporting surface for the guide cardsupports are held at an elevation above the exposed bottom wall of themain channel and. ad- '5' jacent to the drawer bottom.

9. In a filing drawer, the combination with the drawer bottom having amain bottom channel for receiving a guide card support, of an insertibleand removable key-channel device fitted in said first-mentioned channeland comprising 0ppositely opening key channel members having inwardlydirected top flanges, transverse end members engaged with the ends ofthe key channel members to hold the same in spaced apart relation, andmeans for holding said key channel device in the main bottom channel ofthe drawer.

FREDERICK L. G. STRAUBEL.

